Very specific book recommendations

[monsterradeliciosa]

A book has inspired me many a time. I read Minkeo Iwasaki's Geisha of Gion and the story was inspiring in terms of motivation and appetite for life and resilience.

I've begun reading alongside my daughter every night before bed, so we read a chapter or two of a novel. She's only 7 but we're currently doing Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

But I need a book which will get me/guide me through a really tough time, emotionally. We are processing controlling abuse and rebuilding our life and I want a book that won't just be fun but will also be inspiring to us both and help us get through this time with a bit of escapism and offering insight and expanding our consciousness.

Yes it is specific but this is how I feel about books that have changed my life. Three Daughter's of China by Jung Chang is another real favourite.

Pachinko?

I would have eaten that book up back when I loved stories from Asia. Sounds great, thank you.

I just read Educated by Tara westover, fantastic book and on the right kind of lines for you

Hmm. There are books to change you and then books to read to a 7 year old and I'm not sure on the overlap.

How about Holes? Strong resilient characters and well written.

Also The Wildings about cats in Delhi who create a life for themselves.

Holes is great too!

Op, maybe go down to your local library and ask for advice. Ours have been fantastic at helping find books for my daughter and I to read together.

I agree on the first point. For a book to have an impact on me; it would be beyond the interests and understanding of my 7 year old. And we are pretty uncensored around her.

Mine all enjoyed having the first Harry Potter book read to them at that age. Dh had to continue reading the whole series for the next few years!

My dd loved The Last of The Really Great Whangdoodles. After I finished reading it to her she read and re-read it herself. She had gone off reading and this book brought her back, kindling such a love of reading that she is now reading EngLit at university.

Both of these books also provide excellent jumping-off points for discussions about resilience and self-worth. However TLOTRGW has children accepting a stranger's invitation into his house. He is completely good, but this may be an issue for you. Obviously we discussed with dd that this happened in a makebelieve, and is not something you should ever do in real life.

For myself, one of the most emotionally refreshing books I have read is Seasons of Death and Life. It's not likely to be something your dd would be interested in, though there are passages she might enjoy (such as the parts with the raven). Despite the title, it is not at all morbid.

Have a look at ‘The House with Chicken legs’. A childrens book that I love as an adult.